France’s Macron begins China trip with Ukraine, trade on agenda

FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron hopes to dissuade Beijing from supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while also using his visit from today to forge closer ties with a crucial trade and geopolitical partner.

Macron will look to stand firm on Ukraine during talks with his counterpart Xi Jinping and offer “another path” from the directly confrontational tone often heard from Washington, an official from his office told reporters before the three-day trip.